ScienceDaily: Society - February 11, 2025
Top society research news
One in four chance per year that rocket junk will enter busy airspace
There's a 26 per cent annual chance that space rocket junk will re-enter the atmosphere and pass through a busy flight area, according to a recent study. While the chance of debris hitting an aircraft is very low, the research highlights that the potential for uncontrolled space rocket junk to disrupt flights and create additional costs for airlines and passengers is not.
New study on drug checking: Trend warnings and alerts
A new study analyses how other countries' drug checking services use and share data, as a way of helping Australia's policymakers decide what to do with ours. The researchers also spoke with people who use drugs, community organizations, policymakers and prospective drug checking service users to gauge what data should be shared and how this information could be used.
Generating international testing standards for large outdoor fires
The recent LA fires drove home how dangerous wildfires can be when they encroach on urban areas. So-called 'wildland-urban interface' fires are on the rise. However, building codes and standards have long been based on fires that spread from building to building. To address this a professor has updated international standards for large outdoor fires.
Solar and electric-powered homes feel the effects of power outages differently
An expert in energy technologies uses AI tools to investigate the impact of extreme weather on solar-powered and electrified homes and uncover their unique vulnerabilities and develop insights on how they handle harsh conditions.
An Arctic 'beyond recognition' by 2100
Based on the current pledges of countries for limiting their emissions of greenhouse gases, global temperatures are projected to reach 2.7 degrees Celsius beyond pre-industrial levels by the end of this century. A new review paper highlights how this would dramatically reshape the Arctic, the fastest-warming region of Earth.
ALS survival may be cut short by living in disadvantaged communities
Living in a disadvantaged community may decrease the length of time a person can survive with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, by over 30%, a study suggests. Similar studies have shown that living in resource-deprived areas is associated with a higher burden of Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias.
Brain waves measure the effect of anti-alcohol campaigns
To evaluate the effectiveness of public video campaigns against risky alcohol consumption, psychologists used EEG measurements to examine the synchronization of brain activity in groups of viewers. In a recent study, they present new ways to bring the method out of the laboratory and into real-life application in the public health sector.
Do embedded counseling services in veterinary education work? A new study says 'yes'
Embedded counseling services are becoming increasingly common in veterinary medical programs, but their effectiveness has not historically been measured. A new study revealed that these programs may not only enhance access to mental health care but also lead to significant reductions in psychological distress among veterinary trainees.
Nutrition labels meant to promote healthy eating could discourage purchases
As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration weighs whether to require front-of-package food labels, a new study shows some food labels designed to nudge Americans toward healthier food choices can have the opposite effect.
'Marine Prosperity Areas' represent a new hope in conservation
An international team of researchers introduces a promising new initiative in marine conservation, dubbed 'Marine Prosperity Areas.' This science-informed effort goes beyond protecting marine life -- it uses targeted financial investments to prioritize human well-being, uplift communities, and create a sustainable blue economy.
Fishing and conserving in Great Barrier Reef's marine reserves
A new study of the Great Barrier Reef has revealed that the network of no-take marine reserves supplies nearly half of the region's coral trout fishery catch.
Reducing sulphur in the air may inadvertently increase natural emissions of methane from wetlands such as peatlands and swamps, a new study has found. The resulting additional future release of 20-34 million tons of methane each year from natural wetlands would mean targets to reduce human-caused emissions need to be more stringent than currently set out in the Global Methane Pledge.
Students attending schools that ban the use of phones throughout the school day aren't necessarily experiencing better mental health and wellbeing, as the first worldwide study of its kind has found that just banning smartphones is not enough to tackle their negative impacts.
Wealth is strong predictor of prosocial behavior around the world, study suggests
Wealthy people are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior such as donating money or volunteering, according to a new global study.
Gender equality is crucial for a climate resilient future
A new study shows why gender equality trends should be central when planning how societies adapt to and mitigate climate change.
College commuters: Link between students' mental health, vehicle crashes
Young adults are at higher risk for crashes due to inexperience, risk-taking, and impaired driving. A study examines the link between commuter college students' mental health and crash risk, highlighting the added impact on their education, especially in transit-limited South Florida.
Study in India shows kids use different math skills at work vs. school
A study by economists shows a wide gap between the kinds of math problems kids who work in retail markets do well and the kinds of problems kids in school do well.
Missing link in Indo-European languages' history found
Where lies the origin of the Indo-European language family? Researchers contribute a new piece to this puzzle. They analyzed ancient DNA from 435 individuals from archaeological sites across Eurasia between 6.400--2.000 BCE. They found out that a newly recognized Caucasus-Lower Volga population can be connected to all Indo-European-speaking populations.
Coal emissions cost India millions in crop damages
New research shows grain yields critical to India's food security are dragged down 10% or more in many parts of the country by nitrogen dioxide pollution from power stations that run on coal. Economic losses from crop damages exceed $800 million per year.
Forest landowner motivation to control invasive species depends on land use, study shows
Many U.S. forests are privately owned, particularly in the Eastern and North Central part of the country. This makes control of invasive plants and pests challenging because efforts must be coordinated across landowners. A new study explores how differences in ownership motivation affects willingness to control, and how economic incentives can be implemented most efficiently.
Reforms urged to improve global wildlife trade regulation
This week, the world's governments are meeting in Geneva for the 78th meeting of the Standing Committee of CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. CITES is the main agreement that regulates international wildlife trade, which is critical to ensuring that trade does not damage the status of wild populations of plants and animals. The year 2025 marks 50 years since CITES was founded, yet new research has found that it is failing to adequately deter the illegal extraction and trade of many species. The researchers propose a new framework for CITES, the use of which could make the Convention more effective. This framework supports sustainability by deeply analyzing wildlife trade systems and ensuring that CITES trade measures fit within wider supply chain structures. It also ensures these trade systems are fair and recognized by those involved.
Partnership working key to unlocking EV battery recycling problem
Recyclers, battery manufacturers, and electric vehicle manufacturers must work together to revolutionize lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling processes to meet ever-growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems.
What's the best way to organize people to generate ideas? New research offers insight
Is it better to work in large groups? Smaller ones? With other people who are similar or different? New research offers insight into these questions -- and some of the results are not what you'd expect.
Half a degree further rise in global warming will triple area of Earth too hot for humans
New assessment warns area the size of the USA will become too hot during extreme heat events for even healthy young humans to maintain a safe body temperature if we hit 2 degrees Celsuis above preindustrial levels. For those aged over 60, the same 2 degree rise would see more than a third of the planet's land mass cross this critical 'overheating' threshold.
New study assesses impact of agricultural research investments on biodiversity, land use
New, groundbreaking research shows how, at a local scale, agricultural research and development led to improved crop varieties that resulted in global benefits to the environment and food system sustainability.